Twin Earth

Chapter 27

"Mochuvia?" I whispered, clambering to my feet and staggering backwards. "Why all the pictures? Where is my friend? What have you done with her?" I exclaimed, collecting my senses.

"Tom, it's fine," Rachel replied running over.

"What the hell is going on?" I mumbled quietly to her as she gently hugged me. "Who are these people?"

"We are human, just like you," a man replied walking over to us. "I am sorry if you felt threatened in any way. We had to make sure you were not contaminated by the sphere."

"The sphere?" I asked confused, pulling Rachel behind me as I assessed our position.

"You do not need to be afraid," the man replied.

"Afraid? One of you practically dragged us here."

"If he had not, you would be dead. The outer environment is not suitable for long expeditions, even for us. We have to wear protective cloth that reduces the moisture in our lungs and keeps us cool."

"Is that why it's so cold in here?" I replied.

"You find it too cold? I am sorry, we do not have recent experience of what is a suitable climate for your people," the man replied, looking behind him and lifting his hand slowly in the air to another one of his kind. "There, do you find that more comfortable?"

I was surprised to feel the icy chill in the air alleviate and I was relieved to finally stop shivering.

"Err... yes I guess so, but who are you people? And why all the pictures? Where did the room go?" I rambled.

"Tom, it's okay, they're kind people. You don't need to be so defensive."

"How do you know?" I growled softly under my breath.

"Again, I apologise if you found our language room uncomfortable. We try to keep it simple so as not to frighten different species. We ask that you speak the names of the pictures so that we can decipher your language, for communication. That is how you can hear me now, in your own language."

"So, you're not speaking English?"

"No."

"Then what are you speaking?"

"Our language is a mix of ancient Earth's languages and dialects that have changed over thousands of years. It would be incomprehensible for you to try and understand it so quickly."

"He has a point Tom, you never even bothered to learn Japanese," Rachel giggled.

"You seem surprisingly chirpy Rachel considering what has just happened to us both?" I scorned, moving away and removing any protection I had previously offered.

"I'm not sure how long you have been unconscious for, but... these people, they've been really kind to me, offered me food and rest, medical care. I have literally never felt so healthy! I can't explain it, but I just feel so relaxed and calm."

"Calm? How is any of this calming? We need to get home Rachel. We need to tell Trevor and the others what we have found here."

"No, you cannot leave," the man replied, matter-of-factly.

"Look, I know you mean well, but you can't keep us prisoner here. In case you haven't noticed, we're not from around here and we need to repair our craft and go home. Your planet might be paradise to you, but ours is suffering from earthquakes and extreme weather that are killing thousands of people because of this thing surrounding your planet, and you tell me to be calm?" I shouted.

"Tom, calm down," Rachel whispered.

"You need to rest," the man replied. "We will talk more about the sphere when you have recovered from your trip."